“Our people, who were left behind in the jungles of Laos, are still
suffering from the causes of the Vietnam War,” said Colonel Wangyee
Vang, President of the Lao Veterans of America Institute.

“We have come from across the United States to pay tribute and remember
our fallen soldiers who have died to secure the freedom that we all
enjoy today,” Vang stated.

“The plight of Lao, Hmong and Vietnamese political and religious
dissidents remains of concern to policymakers,” said Philip Smith,
Director of the Center for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA) in Washington,
D.C. “This includes the status of allied veterans who served in
Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, and their refugee families still
suffering in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.” http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org

“It is also important to note that an official wreath-laying and
memorial service, was conducted at the Lao Veterans of America (LVA)
monument in Arlington National Cemetery, on May 11, to honor the Lao and
Hmong veterans, their families, as well as the American clandestine
advisors, who served in defense of the Kingdom of Laos, and U.S.
national security interests, during the Vietnam War,” Smith continued.

“A U.S. Department of Defense Joint Armed Forces Honor Guard, U.S. Army
wreath-bearer, and bugler, helped lead the ceremony,” stated Smith.

“Following the wreath-laying ceremony at the LVA memorial in Arlington,
the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) honor guard also posted colors,
and a bugler played ‘Taps’, in memory of the Lao and Hmong veterans and
their American military and clandestine advisors…,” Smith commented.

“I am very honored, and pleased, that we are once again gathered here…,”
said historian Dr. Jane Hamilton-Merritt.

Flowers were laid at a memorial ceremony held at the Vietnam War
Memorial on May 12.

Participants discussed H.R. 3192, legislation introduced by U.S.
Congressmen Jim Costa (D-CA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA), to grant burial
benefits to Lao and Hmong-American veterans at U.S. national cemeteries.

Arlington memorial service cosponsors include: LVAI; CPPA; LVA; the U.S.
DOD; Army; Air Force; Arlington National Cemetery; Counterparts; Hmong
Advance, Inc.; Hmong Advancement, Inc.; and, Members of the U.S.
Congress.